Nothing spectacular you understand, just flashes and glimpses of what they could well offer a full-strength Boro team in a competitive environment.

First the Ulsterman McNair .

Coming off the back of a desperately disappointing campaign with Sunderland, he’ll be enjoying a new, vibrant atmosphere at a club that should, all being well, be competing at the top end of the Championship next season rather than League One.

The first thing regular Boro watchers will notice about McNair is his size and presence.

In recent seasons, the club have tended to field midfielders of average height and build. Players like Grant Leadbitter, Adam Clayton, Jonny Howson, Adam Forshaw and Mo Besic.

Aerially there isn’t an issue. Anyone taller that 6ft 6ins is going to be able to handle high balls, particularly if they are also physically strong.

But as an added bonus, Flint looks decent on the deck.

During the first half against Sturm he stroked – not belted, not kicked - a ball out of defence into the opposition half with the minimum of effort. The ball floated up-field and dropped into the path of its intended recipient with expert precision.